Choking Prevention

Choking is a year-round hazard among children and a leading cause of injury and death, especially among children 3 years of age or younger. Food, coins, and small toys can cause choking if they get caught in the throat and block the airway.

Choking Prevention

Choking is a year-round hazard among children and a leading cause of injury and death, especially among children 3 years of age or younger. Food, coins, and small toys can cause choking if they get caught in the throat and block the airway.

RISKY FOODS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Children younger than 4 years of age should not be given round, firm foods unless they have been chopped into very small, non-circular pieces. The following foods are common choking hazards:

Hot dogs and sausages

Popcorn

Nuts and seeds

Marshmallows

Chunks of meat or cheese

Chewing gum

Whole grapes and fruit chunks, like apples

Hard, gooey, or sticky candy

Chunks of peanut butter

Raw vegetables, such as carrots

DANGEROUS HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Latex balloons

Coins

Marbles, small balls or ball-shaped objects (less than 1.75” in diameter)

Toys with small parts or toys that can be squeezed to fit entirely into a child’s mouth

Pen or marker caps

Small button-type batteries

PREVENTION TIPS

Learn first aid for choking and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Be aware that latex balloons pose a choking risk to both young children and older children.

Children should never run, walk, play, or lie down with food in their mouths.

Cut food for young children into small pieces.

Always supervise mealtimes.

Be aware of older children’s actions. Choking incidents can occur when an older child gives dangerous foods, toys, or small objects to a younger child.

Avoid toys with small parts and keep small household items out of the reach of infants and young children.

Small parts test devices (such as the one pictured) are available at many toy stores and baby specialty stores. If the part can fit in the tube, it is too small for a young child.

Check the minimum age recommendations on toy packages. Age guidelines reflect the safety of a toy based on potential choking hazards as well as children’s development.

Do not allow young children to play with coins.

Content provided by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s